Italy’s Materazzi likely to be manager-cum-player of Chennai Titans in ISL

New Delhi: Former Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi, who was famously head-butted by Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 summit match, could become the marquee manager-cum-player of Chennai Titans in the upcoming Indian Super League.

Sources said representatives from the Chennai franchise have had a discussion with the former Inter Milan centre-back and also offered him a contract.

A team from Chennai Titans had travelled to Rome to hold discussions with Brazilian star footballer Ronaldinho and while there has been no official confirmation in that regard, it is being learnt that they were successful in meeting Materazzi.

"Yes, we met him (Materazzi) in Rome and offered him a contract. Let's see what happens, we are keeping our fingers crossed," a source involved in working out the negotiation said.

"The franchise is looking at different options and we are not in a position to say anything in confirmation now," he said.

Other Chennai Titans officials refused to come on record about the latest development.

The Italian defender had in May visited India as a representative of Inter Milan for their football development project. He then held talks with Sun Group of Bangalore franchisee, which recently pulled out of the ISL to pave the way for Chennai's entry.

Considered one of the top defenders of his generation, Materazzi retired from Inter Milan in 2011.

The inaugural edition of ISL is slated to be held in different venues across the country from October 12-December 20.